Sophie is 5 months old now, on 3 meals a day. She had a lovely walk today, a bit too long if truth be told, along the beach and back through the trees. She was VERY tired when we got home, so OH and I gave her her "lunch" in her cage a bit early and went to do some shopping. Since we have been back she has been trying SOOO hard to keep awake and keeps following one or other of us into the kitchen instead of relaxing. Just realised why. She thinks she hasn't had her lunch! She gets little treats/chews in her cage normally but they aren't meals! So I suppose she will be awake or dozing until teatime, silly girl. She knows what she's entitled to!! By the way, will an occasional (about once a fortnight) walk of an hour or so, off lead on easy, soft ground, be likely to hurt her joints? She is really healthy, fit, but heavy built.
Hi @redmal, personally I wouldn't be worried by the additional exercise ln one day a fortnight as long as Sophie is allowed to rin etc at her pace and take a short rest if she wants. At 5 months old we used to join my trainer in a group dog walk once a week. Walk used to be with dogs of mixed ages and sizes through forest, field and traffic free lanes with lots of running, chasing and playing. The walk used to be around 75 to 90 minutes. We just took it easier the following day with shorter walks.
Thanks for the reply. It is really hard to keep to the "regulation" 25 minutes when she is so keen to run and play, but we don't want her to be suffering in later life for want of a bit of patience early on. Taking it easy the next day is easy enough, and long walks are at her pace and include lots of stops etc.
I'd agree with being a bit low on the exercise for now, it really doesn't take them long to grow up and be ready for the really fun stuff anyway!
